Susan Wojcicki, Google's senior vice president of advertising and commerce, has been chosen to lead YouTube, The Information reported early Wednesday, citing people who claim to have knowledge of the company's plans. Later in the day, Recode confirmed the report. Current YouTube head Salar Kamangar will remain at Google in a different role, developing his own early stage projects.

Google CEO Larry Page said in a statement e-mailed to Recode, "Salar and the whole YouTube team have built something amazing. YouTube is a billion person global community curating videos for every possibility. Anyone uploading their creative content can reach the whole world and even make money. Like Salar, Susan has a healthy disregard for the impossible and is excited about improving YouTube in ways that people will love."

Google's decision to reportedly choose Wojcicki for the top job at YouTube perhaps says something about the company's plans for the social-video site. Although it's still the most-used video site in the world, Google has been unable to fully monetize its success. The hope, it seems, is for Wojcicki to turn things around.

CNET has contacted YouTube for comment on the report. We will update this story when we have more information.

Update at 1:45 p.m. PT with confirmation of Wocjicki as YouTube's new chief.CNET's Seth Rosenblatt contributed to this report.

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Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
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